At the point when somebody makes references to Brooklyn, various individuals will likely have alternate points of view. Everybody has their own version of this NYC borough. Whatever your adaptation is, there is no doubt that Brooklyn is amazing and a vital piece of New York City. Being said so, let’s discuss a neighborhood in Brooklyn, more specifically: Bensonhurst.
Bensonhurst is a tight knit community that is located in the southwestern side of Brooklyn. This neighborhood holds a special place in not just my heart but many who have grown up and lived here. Upon entering Bensonhurst, the people within the neighborhood are quite friendly and approachable. With many generations living here, it is without a doubt that they had built a strong community. The streets of Bensonhurst are filled with all kinds of people from different ethnic backgrounds. Bensonhurst is commonly known as a Little Italy of Brooklyn due to its large Italian-American population, as well as Brooklyn’s second Chinatown because of their largest population of residents born in China of any neighborhood in New York City. The neighborhood is also home for other ethnic groups like Russians, Hispanics, Greeks, Arabs, etc. Each ethnic groups are well represented by their stores and restaurants, bringing diversity which allows anyone to feel welcomed.
86th Street is one of the well known areas within Bensonhurst. Upon arriving here, there are endless places to go and explore as the street is extremely long. 86th Street is a very commercial area with different businesses that appeal to many different people. On 16th Avenue 86th Street, we are able to see a restaurant called Golden Palace (Image 1). Golden Palace is a dim sum restaurant that serves Chinese comfort food. In the United States, the term dim sum has generalized to also refer to a style of eating or restaurant experience in which small plates of Chinese cuisine are presented on mobile carts to seated patrons. The typical dim sum menu includes various steamed buns, rice noodle rolls, and dumplings with different filling. A must have for me is the rice noodle roll with shrimp, as the texture and flavor is phenomenal. Golden Palace is one of my favorite go to places to eat whether it’s with friends or family on special occasions.
Photo by Wing L. taken in November 2018. Via Yelp
Another food establishment that I’m very fond of in Bensonhurst is Lenny’s Pizza. Lenny’s Pizza is located on 20th Avenue 86th Street, along side with other fast-food chains like Starbucks and McDonald’s. Lenny’s Pizza is a veteran pizza spot that was open since 1953 that served fresh crispy pizza pies and Italian entrees. What makes this restaurant so special is the friendly service that is given to us upon entering the shop. One recommended item on the menu is Chicken roll. When you take a bite from the sandwich, hot cheese and pieces of chicken ooze out. Of course, we can’t forget to order the classic: A regular pizza slice, perhaps a pie if you could finish it all by yourself. Lenny’s would be considered a must go upon going to Bensonhurst.
Photo retrieved from Chowhound
